National Cross Country Championships, Falkirk - 20/02/2010

The National Cross Country Championships forms the highlight of the Scottish cross country calendar and for the 1200+ athletes who completed the event, the conditions on the day were perfect. Although the weather in the lead up to the event had been frosty, the air temperature on the day was warmer although the underfoot conditions for the runners were still tricky with parts of the course still hard with frost.

Oonagh Dunnett, competing in her 4th National Championships, had a score to settle with the notorious Falkirk 4k course after a poor run last year due to a stitch. This caused a certain amount of anxiety prior to the race but as the gun went off for the 101 runners, all thoughts of last year were pushed to the back of her head.

The start at Falkirk is infamous for its sharp incline and runners in the Under 15 girl's race attacked the first section of the race aggressively. As the runners appeared down towards the centre of Callander Park, Oonagh was in 10th place, and settled just off the back of the leading pack. The second incline in the course saw Oonagh pick off a couple of runners who had misjudged the pace of the race.

The course then wanders round a section of golf course where Oonagh consolidated her current position and looked to be closing on two runners ahead of her. The final run in towards Callander House saw a final push for placings with Oonagh confirming her best National placing as she came home in 7th place.

Oonagh, running for Edinburgh AC was the second Edinburgh athlete home and along with team mates Rachel Dunn (2nd), Rosanna Stewart (14th) and Olivia Mackenzie (51st), Edinburgh took the team gold and Oonagh collected her first National medal.

Sister Emma, who was among the favourites to take the National title was unfortunately unable to run due to illness. However both Emma and Oonagh have successfully been selected for the Intercounties Championships which take place in Birmingham on the 13th March. Oonagh gained selection based on her National performance and Emma on her win in Antrim at the Celtic Cup Inernational.

This is the second year that Emma will attend this fixture which sees the best athletes competing for their counties/districts from Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England.

End-of-Document